Smyrna times., 1887-07-20

The EUery EUening, and it is only
one of a class of daily papers doing the
same thing, loses no opportunity to her.
aid any failure of temperance laws in
immediate results as has been the case
with the cities of Bangor and Portland,
Maine, and now with Providence, r. l.,
where politicians have conspired to
make the law imperative, and then at
tach to prohibition the result of their
own hostile labOrs. They throw all
their moral influence against those who
are labOring for better lives, happier
homes and greater individual pros
perity. Of the many places where res
trictive laws have been a success and
the happiest results followed to the
slaves of intemperance, their editorial
columns have been blank. Why don't
they publish sometimes something like
the following from the Atlanta, Ga.
Constitution, the leading daily paper of
that city and of the South, that was
originally anti-prOhibition, but sees its
error and acknowledges it:
1t has now been eighteen months
since the election, and twelve months
since the law went into effect. We are
prepared thus from observation to note
results.
'' Prohibition in this city does pro-
hibit. The law is observed as well as
the law against carrying concealed
weapons, gambling, theft, and other
Ofenses of like character. Ifthere had
been as many people in favor of carry
ing concealed weapons, theft, gambling,
ETC., as they were in favor of the retail
of ardent spirits twelve months ago.
law against these things would not
have been carried out as well as it was
against the liquor trade. In cOnsidera-
ton of the small majority with which
Prohibition was carried, and the large
number of people who were opposed to
seeing it prohibit, the law has been
marvelOusly we'll observed.
+" Prohibition has not injured the
city financially. According to the as
SCISSORS books, property in the city has
increased over two millions of dollars.
Taxes have not been increased Two
streets in the city, Decatur and Peters,
were known as liquor streets. It was
hardly considered proper for lady to
walk these streets without an escort
Now they t. a7t as orderly as any in
the city. Property on them has ad-
vanced from 10 to 25 per cent. The
loss Of $4,000 revenue, consequent on
closing the saloons, has tended in no
degree to impede the city's progress in
any direction. Fifteen new stores con-
tanning hOuse-furnishing goods have
been started since Prohibition went
into effect. These are doing well. More
furniture has been sold to mechanics
and laboring men in the last twelve
months than in any twelve months
during the history of the city. The
manufacturing establishments of the
city have received new life. A glass.
factory has been built. A cOttOn-seed
Oil-mill is being built worth $125,OO
All improvement companies with a
basis in real estate have seen their stock
doubled in value since the election on
Prohibition.
Stores in which the liquor trade
was conducted are not vacant, but are
now occupied by other lines of trade
According to the real estate men more
laborers and men Of unlimited means
are buying lots than ever before. Rents
are more promptly paid than formerly
More houses are rented by the same
number Of families than heretofore
Before Prohibition, sometimes as many
as three families WOnld live in one
house. The heads of those families
now, not spending their money fol
drink, are each able to rent house
thus using three instead of one. Work.
ing men who formerly spent a grea
part of their money in drink now spend
it In food and clothes for their families
The retail grocery men sell more goods
and collect their bills better than evel
before. Thus they are able to settle
more promptly with the wholesale men
A perceptible increase haa beer
noticed in the number of people who
ride on the.street cars. According &
the coal dealers, many people bough
coal and stored isaWay last winter VII,
had never been known TO do so before
Others who had been accustomed I,
buying two or three tons on time, tbi
last winter bought seven or eight an,
paid cash for II. A leading proprieto
Of a millinery store said thai he hai
sold more hats and bOnnets to laborini
men for their wives and daughters thai
before in the history of the business
Contractors say their men do bette